I got this in the email and it sounds very reasonable, but not being a health professional, take this with a grain of salt (pun intended):

_/|\_

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital ,Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to knowThe only portals of entry for H1N1 virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I suggest you pass this on to your entire e-list. You never know who might pay attention to it - and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Hi DanHas it been endorsed by the Health Department?To me it just looks like another viral (excuse the pun) chain letter.

Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

ValerieUnless Dan's chain letter has been endorsed by a Health Department, or identical advice to that which is in the letter, then it should be treated with suspicion.Ben

“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.” - Cormac McCarthy, The Road

Learn this from the waters:in mountain clefts and chasms,loud gush the streamlets,but great rivers flow silently.- Sutta Nipata 3.725

Use soap to wash hands, it kills the virus effectively, no additional desinfection spray is necessary.

Just wash frequently, and whenever you left the home and touched things especially in supermarkets and public places.

Cover mouth and nostrils with protection or shawl.

Get enough sleep.

Boost immunity with appropriate means.

Eat healthy food.

Keep warm, especially feet.

My personal advice is to take substances that are toxic to viruses and bakteria.for instace raw fresh garlic and Propolis.

I'm using Propolis since ages for sore throats and viral infections, and also as a preventive.

It's in stock in most pharmacies here.

Medical uses

Natural medicine practitioners use propolis for the relief of various conditions, including inflammations, viral diseases, ulcers, superficial burns or scalds[citation needed].

Propolis is also believed to promote heart health, strengthen the immune system and reduce the chances of cataracts.[12] Old beekeepers[citation needed] recommend a piece of propolis kept in the mouth as a remedy for a sore throat. Propolis lozenges and tinctures can be bought in many countries. Though claims have been made for its use in treating allergies, propolis may cause severe allergic reactions if the user is sensitive to bees or bee products.[13]

Some of these claims are being clinically investigated and several studies are published in the biomedical literature. Since the chemical composition of propolis varies depending on season, bee species and geographic location, caution must be applied in extrapolating results (as above).[edit] As an antimicrobial

Depending upon its composition, propolis may show powerful local antibiotic and antifungal properties.[14][edit] As an emollient

Studies also indicate that it may be effective in treating skin burns.[15][16][17][edit] As an immunomodulator

Propolis also exhibits immunomodulatory effects.[18][19]

[edit] As a dental anti-plaque agent

Propolis is a subject of recent dentistry research, since there is some evidence that propolis may actively protect against caries and other forms of oral disease, due to its antimicrobial properties.[20][21][22][23] Propolis can also be used to treat canker sores,[24] its use in canal debridement for endodontic procedures has been explored in Brazil.[25]

[edit] As an anti-tumor growth agent

Propolis' use in inhibiting tumorigenesis has been studied in mice in Japan.[26

The advice we are giving out in leaflet form at the NHS Trust in which I work covers most of those points Ben.The only one it doesnt mention specifically is the taking of zinc supplements. But actually there is good solid evidence that taking zinc and selenium supplements boost the immune system. They were both present in fruit and vegetables as micronutrients in our grandparents day, but because of modern farming methods they and other trace elements have been stripped from the soil. Organic fruit and veg are likely to have more, but there is no guarantee.

Valerie.

The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.

Sanghamitta wrote:The advice we are giving out in leaflet form at the NHS Trust in which I work covers most of those points Ben.The only one it doesnt mention specifically is the taking of zinc supplements. But actually there is good solid evidence that taking zinc and selenium supplements boost the immune system. They were both present in fruit and vegetables as micronutrients in our grandparents day, but because of modern farming methods they and other trace elements have been stripped from the soil. Organic fruit and veg are likely to have more, but there is no guarantee.

Valerie.

Too late, already had it. Spent 2 days mostly in bed. Rest, fluids, a little vitamin C, and no prob. Just as boring and not as nasty as many another flu.

Sanghamitta wrote:The advice we are giving out in leaflet form at the NHS Trust in which I work covers most of those points Ben.The only one it doesnt mention specifically is the taking of zinc supplements. But actually there is good solid evidence that taking zinc and selenium supplements boost the immune system. They were both present in fruit and vegetables as micronutrients in our grandparents day, but because of modern farming methods they and other trace elements have been stripped from the soil. Organic fruit and veg are likely to have more, but there is no guarantee.

Valerie.

Too late, already had it. Spent 2 days mostly in bed. Rest, fluids, a little vitamin C, and no prob. Just as boring and not as nasty as many another flu.

sj

My daughter had it too a couple of weeks ago.She said it was like a mild flu but with more severe symptoms of fatigue. She spent three days in bed unable to eat but drinking copious amounts of liquids. Otherwise she was fine and back to normal in about five days without any major dramas. Btw, she also works in the NHS Sanghamitta ..in the communication department where they arrange distribution of Swine flu leaflets!!!

Where we are in UK most people know at least one person who has had it and come through without any real problems and the original 'hysteria' around Swine flu has subsided a bit!

The deaths and/or severe illness are among young people who have not been exposed to earlier flu viruses and pregnant women who are very vulnerable. There are two main reasons for seeking out the vaccination, the first is because of the risk that the less vulnerable will pass it on to the more vulnerable. The second reason is that a second wave is predicted which will be more severe than the first. Viruses of this kind tend to mutate in unpredictable ways. The current vaccination will confer a good deal of protection from even a mutated form. It is not a cause for panic. It is a cause for concerned preventative action.

There are literally millions of people being vaccinated world wide Anna. A small % will react. A higher number of people would have a severe reaction to nuts or apple pips. A yound Oxford student died recently in reaction to the latter. What is a fact is that the vaccination is as safe as such things can be, and that swine flu is killing people.

Some facts. The main concern is a syndrome called Guillain-Barre that was reported after the last Swine flu out break in the USA in 1976. It can cause inflammation of the joints and so on. Firstly this is a very different vaccination from the one used back in 1976. Secondly what is not widely realised is that flu its self can cause Guillian-Barre. In fact you are far more likely to get that syndrome from flu itself than from the vaccination. Reliable information suggests that during the American episode of 76 one in a million vaccinated people developed Gullian-Barre whereas the incidence of Guillian-Barre as a result of flu is 40 per million.Where caution is needed is with patients who have a known allergy to eggs. Because of the way that the virus is cultured before being attenuated. If anyone has such an allergy they should seek advice from their family doctor or health centre before being vaccinated.

Annabel wrote:We've had the second person getting an allergic shock from it...

Anybody over in UK, USA or Australia?

Allergic shock to the vaccine? The person giving me my vaccine said that I may experience flu-like symptoms within a couple of days. I did. Had the day off work.

That's not quite 'allergic shock' though.

Metta,Retro.

If you have asked me of the origination of unease, then I shall explain it to you in accordance with my understanding: Whatever various forms of unease there are in the world, They originate founded in encumbering accumulation. (Pārāyanavagga)

Exalted in mind, just open and clearly aware, the recluse trained in the ways of the sages:One who is such, calmed and ever mindful, He has no sorrows! -- Udana IV, 7

The programme has now rolled out to several million people in the UK. So far no reports of major reactions. For those with egg allergies an alternative vaccine is available to the one which is cultivated using eggs as ther medium. In the UK the epidemic is slowing, due in part to the vaccination programme.

The going for refuge is the door of entrance to the teachings of the Buddha.